I have been advised by my physician that I must undergo a course of chemotherapy on my esophagus. This advice seems persuasive to me. I regret having had to cancel so many engagements at such short notice.

*FACEPALM* No, actually I didn't see that particular response coming. Still, you gotta love how no matter what happens, some believer of some sort will find a way to take credit for it. He smoked, he got cancer, and hopefully he'll be okay. What could possibly be supernatural about that?

"Christopher Hitchens has cancer, but I'm praying for him. I know it will drive him nuts, but I'm doing it because I'm such a good person."

I understand that many people pray sincerely, and some even think that it accomplishes something in spite of the lack of evidence for intercessory prayer. But to think that doing so is somehow noble seems like complete nonsense to me.

One of the hosts on that "Atheist Experience" show said something I don't think I'll ever forget: "Prayer is like masturbation. It just makes you feel good, and please do it in private." That seems to fit this article perfectly; written by someone who is both pleasuring himself, and pleasuring himself FOR pleasuring himself. :-P

I saw it. He's certainly being stoic going on television so soon. I don't even know if he's done with his chemo treatments. I know I couldn't do that, I'd still be in shock. I don't know why this is affecting me as much as it is. I just really love the man. He cares so much about people, about defending children and the oppressed. Idiots who don't know him think he's evil because of his atheism and his attacks on people like the pope and mother theresa, but when he speaks about the abused children of the catholic church or the women in the middle east, you can see in his eyes, the pain he feels for them. He is really a very caring individual. It hurts me to see this happening to him.

I am literally heart broken. still am, since I found out a month and a half ago. (or was it two months?) Christopher Hitchens has been sort of my "inspiration" in my Non-Theist views, even over Sam Harris, Dan Barker, and of course, Richard Dawkins (to name a few). I'm in the Bible Belt of Texas, where I'm told i'm a "lost puppy" with "no moral compass". When I first moved here, Hitch was always there to keep me going (still is), and inspired me to keep my drive not to collapse under pressures of constant converters (not that I would anyway, but I sure quote him alot)

To Hitch I can only say.....

Gratis. Hope you get better, and maybe to get one final work after Hitch 22 out of you before you go.